> vince and darcy winskunas wrote:
>
> I am interested in making a garden version of the the columbia dial
> which used a sphere as the gnomon. Can anyone tell me where I can find
> some info on laying out a dial of this type? Also, what is this type
> of dial called? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> VW
Vince,
I've included below earlier postings to the list regarding the Columbia
"SunBall" sundial, I hope you find them helpful, however, if you would
like further information you can contact me.
Regards,
Luke Coletti
On Tue, 02 Apr 2002, Luke Coletti wrote:
>
> Hello Frans,
>
> Yes, I know a bit about the Univ. of Columbia "SunBall" sundial. First
> its operation was that of a standard time noon marker and date
> indicator. It was not used to tell the time, other than standard local
> noon. Functionally, the sphere's elliptical shadow projected onto two
> symmetrical plates at its base (placed east and west) and indicated the
> approx. date (marked in increments of 5 days). When the shadow indicated
> the correct date, on both plates, it was standard local noon. The date
> plates and base are still there. The missing sphere was made of granite,
> was 7 feet in diameter and weighed 15 tons! The sphere was installed in
> 1912 and was removed (due to its deteriorating condition - crack(s)) in
> 1947.
>
> I've been there and taken photos (of the surviving pieces) and I have
> quite a bit of info that I collected on it from the New York Historical
> Society and other sources. It's an amazing concept and is unique as far
> as I know. I've made a replicate using an 8 inch glass sphere and if
> anyone is interested in having one made please feel free to contact me.
>
> In addition, I would urge all those interested to make the case for a
> replacement gnomon (sphere) to be installed per John Schilke's forwarded
> e-mail. I believe the resistance thus far concerns the issue of it being
> an exact replicate (and a solid 15 ton granite gnomon does indeed
> present issues) and if it's not then it isn't worth doing. I think a
> hollow bronze shell with granite inlay would be nice...
>
> Regards,
>
> Luke
>
> "F.W.Maes" wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > That is (was!) quite an impressive sphere, at:
> > http://www.morningside-heights.net/sundial.htm
> >
> > Does anyone know how it works?
> > I wonder how the dial face is laid out.
> >
> > Regards, Frans
> >
> > > From: Ian Fletcher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 3:22 AM
> > > Subject: Sundial E-Mail Protest
> > >
> > >
> > > > Dear Dr. Schilke:
> > > >
> > > > Can you send out the following message to whatever mailing list you
> > > > have?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Ian Fletcher
> > > >
> > > > Dear Sundial-fan:
> > > >
> > > > At the center of Columbia University's historic campus is a giant broken
> > > > sundial. This sundial is missing the huge stone sphere that casts its
> > > > shadow (see http://www.morningside-heights.net for a picture). Columbia
> > > was
> > > > recently given the opportunity to replace it at a reasonable price but
> > > > decided not to. I urge you to protest this decision to University
> > > Architect
> > > > Irwin Lefkowitz ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and Vice-President Emily Lloyd
> > > > ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
> > > >
> > > > Respectfully,
> > > > Ian Fletcher
> > >
> > >
> > > -
> >
> > =====================================
> > Frans W. Maes
> > Peize, The Netherlands
> > 53.1 N, 6.5 E
> > www.biol.rug.nl/maes/sundials/
> > =====================================
-
